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Six Sigma Terminologies

In a recent article called Six Sigma Speak in iSixSigma Magazine, Craig Gygi does a very nice job articulating one of the barriers to Six Sigma, and that is the terminology that we use. We are laden with terms from other languages such a poka-yoke, “same letter lists,” as well as synonyms and acronyms galore. As he describes, this is caused because each organization that adopts Six Sigma then adapts words to reflect the specifics to their organization’s culture and priorities.

The one thing he doesn’t address in the article head on, are the sheer number of acronyms we use. Below I have named just a few:

DMAIC = Define, Measure, Analysis, Improve and Control

DFSS = Design for Six Sigma

GB, BB, MBB, LSSBB etc… which represents some of the levels of certification one can achieve from GB (Green Belt) to MBB (Master Black Belt) and LSSBB (Lean Six Sigma Black Belt) please don’t forget some of the others such as LSSMBB, DFLSSBB etc…

VOC = Voice of the Customer

DOE = Design of Experiments

DFMEA = Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis

MSA = Measurement System Analysis

To add to the list are the process capability and statistical acronyms such as Cp, Cpk, Pp, PpK, ANOVA, ANOM, DPPM etc . . . As we all know this is a very small example of the special terminology that we have either created or adopted over time. It’s no wonder that the people outside of the Six Sigma world are intimidated and bewildered before they even get into learning the tools to develop or improve a process.

Craig Gygi is also the co-author of Six Sigma for Dummies which I have to admit was one of the first Six Sigma books I purchased when trying to make sense of it all.

Lastly, I learned a new acronym on iSixSigma.com while writing this post, BAU (Business as usual.) I don’t know if it’s truly a LSS term but what the heck!